(New Castle, DE) On February 16, the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) Commissioners approved a new fare schedule for the Cape May - Lewes Ferry at its monthly meeting held in the James Julian Boardroom at the Authority’s Administrative Complex in New Castle, Delaware.
Effective April 1, 2010, the new ferry fare schedule contains modest increases that average 50 cents in most fare categories, creates a new 'Friends and Family' fare category for high occupancy vehicles and expands the vehicle discount ticket program by adding a 12-pack discount. The expanded vehicle discount ticket program is a feature often requested by the ferry's most frequent customers. In addition to the standard discount book of six (6) tickets for vehicles less than 20 feet in length, the ferry service will now offer a discount book of twelve (12) tickets for $288, or $24.00 per crossing. The new fare category reflects a discount of more than 33% off the summer vehicle fare. Another key component of the 2010 fare schedule is the creation of a new fare class for 'high-occupancy' passenger vehicles.
The "Friends and Family" fare grants free travel for passengers greater than four in a standard vehicle. "Given today's challenging economy, the Authority is looking for ways to make the ferry service more affordable for our customers and especially for larger groups," remarked Heath Gehrke, Director of Ferry Operations. "With the new friends and family fare, once a standard vehicle reaches the threshold of four full-fare paying passengers, which includes the driver, the fifth, sixth, seventh passengers and so on receive free passage. We're hopeful that golfing buddies, gals who shop together, and larger families on a vacation trip take advantage of this new fare and give the Ferry a try."
The new "Friends and Family" fare class is valid from April 1, 2010 through October 31, 2010. DRBA management will evaluate the impact of the new fare class on vehicle traffic and make recommendations to the Commissioners at the end of the trial period on whether to continue the program.
The following table represents the new CMLF fare structure: NOV-MAR APR-OCT PEAK*
VEHICLE & DRIVER
Car, SUV, Van, Pick-up Truck (vehicles less than 20’ length) $30.00 $36.00 $44.00
Return-Trip Value Fare $26.00 $32.00 $32.00
Motorcycle or Motorbike $25.00 $31.00 $36.00
Return-trip Value Fare $22.00 $27.00 $27.00
Discount Book of Six (6) Tickets (all vehicles less than 20’ length) $153.00 $153.00 $153.00
Discount Book of Twelve (12) Tickets (all vehicles less than 20’ length) $288.00 $288.00 $288.00
Discount Book of Six (6) Tickets (commercial vehicles) 15% off scheduled fare
(Discount vehicle tickets: Not valid Saturdays, Sundays or Holidays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Memorial Day to
VEHICLE & FOOT PASSENGERS
Under 6 years of age FREE FREE FREE
Children, age 6-13 $4.00 $5.00 $5.00
Return-Trip Value Fare $3.00 $4.00 $4.00
14 Years of age and older $8.00 $10.00 $10.00
Return-Trip Value Fare $6.00 $8.00 $8.00
Discount Book of Six (6) Adult Tickets $45.00 $45.00
*Please note that all return trip value fares must be purchased with initial sailing
BUS PASSENGERS
Under 6 years of age FREE FREE FREE
Children, age 6-13 $2.00 $3.00 $3.00
14 Years of age and older $3.00 $5.00 $5.00
FERRY TERMINAL SHUTTLE FARES
Under 6 years of age FREE FREE FREE
6 Years of age and older $4.00 $4.00 $4.00
RESERVATION FEES & DISCOUNTS
Internet Reservation Fee Discount $2.00 $2.00 $2.00
Non-Refundable Reservation Cancellation Fee $5.00 $5.00 $5.00
OTHER VEHICLES & DRIVER
20’ to under 25’ $34.00 $42.00 $50.00
25’ to under 35’ $43.00 $50.00 $61.00
35’ to under 45’ $50.00 $57.00 $69.00
45’ to under 60’ $62.00 $70.00 $85.00
More than 60’ $85.00 $93.00 $113.00
* PEAK FARES valid from Memorial Day to Labor Day - Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays.
TICKET EXPIRATION: Purchased ferry tickets expire two years following purchase date.
The Cape May - Lewes Ferry operates year round and has carried more than thirty-nine million passengers since its inception on July 1, 1964. The ferry service, connecting the Victorian Cape May, New Jersey and historic Lewes, Delaware, transports approximately one million passengers and 320,000 vehicles annually.
For more information on the ferry service, please visit www.cmlf.com.
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